Ahmed al Ahmed has been awarded a ‘Key to the City’ and lifetime Waverley Beach Pass, which gives him free parking to some of Sydney’s best beaches, in recognition of his bravery during the Bondi massacre.
Waverley Council, which oversees Bondi, handed Mr Al Ahmed his awards on Wednesday night.
He and two other men, Gefen Bitton and Leibel Lazaroff, have been applauded as heroes for risking their lives to help others during the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14 that claimed 15 innocent lives.
It’s alleged Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, opened fire on a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Sajid was fatally shot by police and Naveed remains in custody ahead of his trial.
Mr Al Ahmed has been widely recognised for wrestling a gun from Sajid during the six-minute attack. Mr Bitton had also run to Mr Al Ahmed’s side to confront Sajid.
Mr Lazaroff assisted Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who died during the attack, in helping critically wounded NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson after he was shot. He received his awards from Waverley Council in February.
When presenting Mr Al Ahmed with his awards on Wednesday, Mayor Will Nemesh described the hero’s actions as ‘a guiding light to prevail against the darkness’.
‘Amid scenes of unthinkable horror, Ahmed ran towards grave danger to save countless innocent people, physically disarming one of the shooters and forcing him to retreat,’ Mr Nemesh said, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Ahmed Al Ahmed (right0 was presented with a Key to the City and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in recognition of his bravery during the December 14 shooting
Mr Al Ahmed was presented the awards on Wednesday night
Mr Al Ahmed (above) wrestled a gun from shooter Sajid Akram during the shooting at Bondi Beach
‘The entire Waverley community is incredibly thankful to him.
‘These gestures we present today symbolise our never-ending gratitude. This gratitude can never be enough.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns appeared in the ceremony via video message and thanks Mr Al Ahmed for showing ‘the nation and also the world what true Australian courage looks like’.
‘Without a second thought and without a sense of your own self-preservation, you put your own life at risk to save people that you’ve never met before,’ he said.
‘So today we remember everyone affected by this terrible crime. We know your story will continue to bring hope and togetherness as our community heals.’
More to come…
